Car coupler supporting means



Dec. 8, 1942.

INVENTQR mlliam J. Metzyer BY I ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 8, 1942.w. .1. METZGER CAR COUPLER SUPPORTING MEANS Filed July 24, 1940SSheet'S-Sheet 2 INVENTOR William J7jlletz er 44% E. @2/

ATTORNEY 8, 1942*. w. J. METZGER CAR COUPLER SUPPORTING MEANS sSheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 24. 1940 INVENTOR Maia/77 q]. Met zger.

ATTORNEY D 8, 1 w. .J, METZGER 2,304,366

CAR COUPLER SUPPORTING MEANS Filed July 1940 5 sheets shegt 4 Fig, 6

ENVENTOR -William dfl kzz at" ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1942. w. J. METZGER2,394,356

CAR COUPLER SUPPORTING MEANS Filed July 24, 1940 *5 Sheets-Shea INVENTORWilliam J. Metz qer Ma. Ma

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 8, 1 942 ENT OFFiCE CAR COUPLER SUPPORTING MEANSWilliam J. Metzger, Euclid, Ohio, assignorto National Malleable and,Steel Castings Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of OhioApplication July 24, 1940, Serial No. 347,342

8 Claims. (Cl. 213-14) This invention relates to support means for carcouplers and more particularly to means for resiliently supporting acoupler while permitting horizontal and vertical angling thereof.

An object of my invention -is toprovide coupler carrier means whichduring disassembly thereof is readily removable from the carrier ironwithout necessitating the removal of the coupler or draft rigging.

Another object is to provide means associated with the couplersupporting means adaptedto support the train service lines independentlyof the coupler so that the lines are not subjected to longitudinal orvertical movement as occurs in service when the lines are connected tothe coupler.

Another object is to provide coupler supporting means comprising acarrier iron so shaped that the shifter member maybe mounted thereon tocooperate therewith in. such"a manner that the movement thereof tothereby prevent undesired hammer blows of the shank on the supportmemher due to the shank lifting clear of the member.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: I

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the coupler support means. I l

Figure 2 is a plan view partly in section of the construction shown inFig. 1.

Figure 3 is a front view partly in section of the construction shown inFig. '1.

Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary views showing modifications of myinvention.

Figure 6 is a front view partly in section of a modified form of theinvention.

Figure 7 is a plan view partly in section taken on line 7-1 of Fig. 6;and

Figure Bis a partial side elevational view showing the attachment to thecarrier iron of th From each of portions i3 projects an arm H to whichis fastened a bail mounting bracket I5. In accordance with my inventionthere is provided a shifter or saddle member l6 slidably mounted on thecarrier iron ii. This member is adapted to slide transversely on thecarrier iron in response to horizontal angling of the coupler. In orderto secure stability in the mounting of the saddle member on the carrieriron, the carrier iron is preferably H-shaped in section and comprisestop flanges I1 and i8, central web I9, and lower horizontal portion 20.The vertical columns l3 (which merge with the carrier iron are likewiseH-shaped in section. While the preferred embodiment ofmy inventionutilizes a carrier iron H-shaped in section, other modifications thereofmay be used, as will be hereinafter described. The base portion 2! ofthe saddle member extends substantially the length and width thereof toprovide a; large carrier iron engaging surface 22, thus lessening therate of wear on the contacting surfaces. Depending from the inner sideof base portion 2! is an L-shaped flange 23 which extendsintooverlapping relation with flange i8 to limit upward as well as forwardmovement of the saddle member.

.The front side of the base portion has a depending flange 24 adjacentflange i1, thus limiting anyrearward movement of the saddle member.

iron is efifectively precluded. In service, lockpiece 26 can besubjected only to a downward force upon upward movement of the saddlemember and any such force is transmitted by the offset. portion 28thereof to the saddle member, thereby relieving bolts 25 of any shearingstresses. Also, with this arrangement the saddle member is effectivelyguided along the carrier iron as it moves transversely during horizontalangling of the coupler.

Resilientsupporting of the coupler is accomplished through the use ofcoil springs mounted on the saddle member. At each end of the saddlemember are provided upwardly extending housings 30, each receiving andpartially enclosing a spring 3i. Each of housings 30 comprises a sidewall 32 and front and rear walls 33 and 34 respectively. Each spring 3|rests on a seat 35 and is positioned with respect thereto by a boss 36.The coupler is supported on springs 3i by means of a support member 31comprisin a central portion 38 underlying the coupler shank 39 andupwardly and outwardly extending arms 40 which are adapted to bereceived in housings 30'. Each arm is formed with a side wall 4|, frontand rear walls 42 and 43 respectively, and a top connecting wall 44engaging the spring. Top wall 44 is formed with a depending boss 45adapted to position the upper end of each spring ,with

between the vertical walls of the shank and arms" '40, as at 49, so thatthe shank is centered with-w.

H ber 80 is adapted to slide alongthe-carrier-dron H as in the P ev ousform ot'the invention and respect to the springs, thereby placing eachspring under substantially the same load at all times during horizontalangling of the coupler. By this arrangement portion 38 of the supportmember will remain in a horizonal position in engagement with theunder-surface of the shank. In order to stabilize transverse movement ofthe support member with respect to the saddle mem-- ber, inwardprojections 50 are provided on side walls 32 of housings 30. Each ofprojections 50 is adapted to engage the side of one of the springs sothat each boss 45 is received within its associated spring in such amanner that any clearance between the boss and the portion of the coilsadjacent wall 32 of the saddle member is taken up. In this manner, witheach boss in engagement with the coils, transverse movement of thesupport member relative to the saddle member is cushioned by theresistance to bending of that part of the springs above the projections50. Also, the projections may be made to extend inwardly'suflicient tobow the springs slightly to assure tight engagement oi each boss withthe coils adjacent walls 32.

Projecting rearwardly from the saddle mem-.

, To disassemble the support means from the carrier iron, lock-piece 26and clamps and 55 are first removed. The coupler is then raised anamount sufilcient to permit the saddle member to be tilted rearwardly sothat flange 24 will clear the top of the carrier iron. The saddle membercan then be moved rearwardly from the carrier iron. Assembly of themechanism is accomplished by applying the preceding steps in reverseorder.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the carrier iron 60 is .formed withvertical webs 6| joined by a horizontal top flange 62, the sides ofwhich project past the webs, as at 63. The saddle member 64 is similarto the saddle member I6 of the previous embodiment and cooperates withthe carmember provides means to which the train service line supportbracket may be secured.

In Figs. 6, 7, and 8 is shown a modification of my invention wherein thesupport member is caused to follow the movement of the coupler shank bymeans of auxiliary springs, thus eliminating noise caused by contact ofthe coupler shank with the support member after the two have separatedduring normal vertical angling of the shank. In this embodiment saddlememhas an L shaped flange 8| extending into overlapping relation withflange 8 of the carrier iron. On the opposite side from flange M is adepending flange 82 and a lock piece as secured to the saddle member inthe same manner as before.

Extending upwardly from each end-oi saddle member is a spring housing845, each comprising a side wall 85 and front and rear walls 85 and 81respectively, A spring 88 in each housing rests upon a seat Hand ispositioned by a boss 90. Coupler shank tfi'rests on a support member 9|,which has upwardly and outwardly extending arms 92 received in springhousings 8t and resting on the upper ends of springs tii. Each arm isformed with a side wall 93, frontand rear walls 94 and 95 respectively,and top wall Sbengaging one of springs 88. Extending downwardly from topwall 96 is a spring housing 9? adapted to receive a spring 98. Bolt99'and nut I00 maintain springs 88 and 98 under the desired amount ofcompression. It will be observed that the pressure of spring 88 istransmitted to spring 98 through housing 91, thus as spring 88 isfurther compressed by the coupler, spring 98 is released and vice versa.

Moreover, the pressure-travel characteristics of springs 88 and 98 aresuch that the coupler shanks may be adjusted to a normal horizontalposition by releasing or tightening nut I88.

During operation of the car over substantially level track the couplershank may normally angle vertically to such an extent that the verticalmovement thereof where it contacts support member BI is from aboutone-half inch to one inch. Greater vertical angling of the shank maytake place 'on very uneven track or in passing over the top or bottom ofgrades. If during the aforesaid normal vertical angling, the couplershank separates from support member at, the contact between the shankand member, following such separation, may be so severe as to result inundesirable noise.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 spring ilfiexpands, duringnormal upward vertical angling of the coupler, against the pressure ofspring 98 and thus member 9! remains in contact with the shank duringsaid normal vertical angling. In the construction illustrated contactbetween the shank and support member is maintained only during normalvertical angling of the coupler as substantially all the objectionalnoise In addition to" prevention of n'dise as above set forth, spring'98 absorbsis'hocks eiilnut I88 incl- ..dent. tosudden upwardmoyement-bfsupport member 81,. i

.As' in the first embodiment of the invention means is ,provided tocushion lateral movement of support member 9| relative to sadddlegnember1 caused byiorces insufilcient to movetlgesaddle 'rnember on carrierironll. 'Failure'to cushion. said movement results in undesirable noisedue to contact between the ends of walls. and 85 015 member 9| and walls85 of member 88. Opposite each. of walls 94 and 95, and spacedtherefrom, is a projection lnl extending inwardly from walls 85. Lateralmovement is cushioned by the resistance ofiered by springs 88 betweenthe point of contact I82 of the lower end of the spring and boss 90, andthe point of contact I83 of the lower end of housing 91 with spring 88.This latter' point of contact will varyas the coupler shank movesvertically and housing 91 moves .relative to spring 88. It will beobserved that each projection 18! has a sloping surface I84 and eachopposite wall 94 and 95 has a correspondingly rsloping surface I05. Assupport member 9| moves downwardly the clearance between surfaces I84and I85 is reduced at the same time that the vertical distance betweencontactpoints I02 and I03 becomes less. Hence, the amount of lateralmovement of member 8| relative to member 88 decreases with a decrease inthe length of spring 88 available to resist said movement andoverstressing of the springis prevented.

If desired a projection similar to projection 50 of Figs. 2 and 3 may beused in the embodiment shown in Figs. 6, "I, and 8 in which casesufficient clearance should be provided between housing 81 and spring 98to permit flexing of spring 88.

"The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as. terms ordescription and not of limitation, and Ihave no intention, in the use ofsuch terms and'expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the featuresshown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

What I claim is: 1. In a carcoupler supporting mechanism, a .carrieriron beneath the coupler, a saddle member mounted on said carrier ironand shiftable thereon in response to horizontal anglin'g of the coupler,means on said member embracing'said carrier iron to prevent displacementof said member from said carrier iron, spring housings ateach end ofsaid member, springs in saidhousings, a coupler supporting membersupported on said springs, and means within each housing ongaging saidsprlngs below the tops thereo1 ,adapted to limit transverse movement; ofsaid" springs in one direction with respect to said member.

2. Ina car coupler supporting mechanism,a carrier iron beneath thecoupler, a saddle member mounted on said carrier iron and shiftablethereon in response to horizontal angling of the cou- 'pler, springmeans 'on'said saddle member, a

support member spaced vertically from said carrier iron for supportingsaid coupler from said spring means, retaining means passing throughsaid support member and spring means, and reretaining means and saidsupport member adapted to cushion upward movement of the latter.-

3. In' a car coupler supporting mechanism, a

carrier iron beneath the coupler, a saddle member mounted on saidcarrier iron and shiftable thereon in response to horizontal angling ofthe coupler, spring means on said saddle member, a

support member spaced vertically from said car'- rier iron forsupporting said coupler from said spring means, and means, forresiliently adjust:- ing the compression of said spring means, saidmeans comprising a retaining member extending through said saddlemember, and auxiliary spring means reacting between said retainingmember and said support member adapted to cushion upward movement or thelatter.

,4. In a car coupler supporting mechanism, a carrier iron beneath thecoupler, a saddle member mounted on said carrier iron and shlitablethereon in response to horizontal angling oi the coupler, spring meanson said saddle member, a support member spaced vertically from saidcarrier iron for supporting said coupler from said spring means, aspring housing at each end of said support member, a spring in each ofsaid housings, retaining means passing through said saddle member andhousing, and resilient means between said support member and retainingmeans adapted to cushion upward movement of said support member.

5. In acar coupler supporting mechanism, a carrier iron beneath thecoupler, a saddle member mounted onsaid carrier iron and shiftablethereon in response to horizontal angling of the coupler, spring meanson said saddle member,

a support member spaced vertically from said being adapted to compresssaid springs within said housings to lower said support member duringpositioning of said coupler in a vertical direction.

6. In a car coupler supporting mechanism, a

I carrier iron beneath the coupler, a saddle member mounted on saidcarrier iron and shiftable thereon in response to horizontal angling. ofthe I coupler, spring means on said saddle member, a support memberspaced vertically from said carrier iron for supporting said couplerfrom said silient means reacting between one end or said springs, ahousing depending from each end of said supportmeans into said springmeans, a spring in each housing, and means normally ,maintaining saidlast named spring under compression, said spring being adapted to expandupon downward movement of the coupler and to compress upon upwardmovement thereof to enables'aid support member to remain. in engage mentwith said coupler.

'7. In a car coupler supporting mechanism, a carrier iron beneath thecoupler, a saddle member mounted on said carrier iron and shittablethereon in response to horizontal anglingiof the coupler, spring meanson said saddlemembena support member spaced vertically from said carrieriron for supporting said coupler from said spring means, said supportmember being adapted to move transversely with respect to said saddlemember, and means including a projec-' tion on said saddle memberadapted to engage said spring. means to limit said transverse movementof said support member.

8. In a car coupler supporting mechanism, a carrier iron beneath thecoupler, a saddle member mounted on said carrier iron and shiftablethereon in response to horizontalangling of the coupler, spring means onsaid saddle member, a support member spaced vertically from said carrieriron for supporting'said coupler from said spring means, said supportmember being adapted to move transversely with respect to said saddlemember, means including said spring means adapted to cushion saidtransverse movement of said support member, and means constructed andarranged to decrease the amount of said transverse movementupon..downward movement of the coupler.

WILLIAM J. METZGER.

